ASHTABULA COUNTY NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS (NAMI)
NAMI Ashtabula is an affiliate of NAMI Ohio
NAMI Ashtabula
https://namiashtabula.org/
Mission
To improve the quality of life and ensure dignity and respect for persons with serious mental illness, and offer support to their families and close friends.
About NAMI Ohio
NAMI Ohio (National Alliance on Mental Illness of Ohio) was created in 1982 by a small, dedicated group of family members to provide mutual support, education, and advocacy for individuals and families affected by brain disorders. Over the years, our membership has expanded to include family members, mental health consumers and providers, community mental health boards, mental health organizations, and other supporters.
As a grassroots organization advocating for mental health issues, NAMI Ohio has an outstanding history of affecting public policy and legislation regarding care and resources for persons with mental illness. NAMI Ohio members testify before the General Assembly, educate business and education leaders, and sit on state planning and advisory committees, Community Mental Health Boards, and various task forces. NAMI Ohio’s network of 39 local affiliates, serving most of Ohio’s counties, plays an active role in providing support, education, and advocacy on a local level.
NAMI Ashtabula Support Groups & Classes
Connection Recovery Support Group
This is a free, peer-led support group for any adult who has experienced symptoms of a mental health condition. You will gain insight from hearing the challenges and successes of others, and the groups are led by trained leaders who’ve been there.
- Designed for adults (18+) with mental health conditions
- Led by people with mental health conditions
- 90 minutes long
- No specific medical therapy or treatment is endorsed
- Confidential
What You’ll Gain
By sharing your experiences in a safe & confidential setting, you can gain hope & feel a sense of connection. The group encourages empathy, productive discussion & a sense of community. You’ll benefit from others’ experiences, discover your inner strength & empower yourself by sharing your own experiences in a non-judgemental space.
Will Help You
- Aim for better-coping skills
- Find strength in sharing experiences
- Not judge anyone’s pain
- Forgive ourselves & reject guilt
- Embrace humor as healthy
- Accept that we cannot solve every problem
- Understand that mental health conditions are no one’s fault & can be traumatic experiences
For more information visit https://namiashtabula.org/support-groups-classes/
Family Support Group
This is a free, confidential support group for family members, significant others & friends of people with mental health conditions. As a loved one of a person with mental illness, you face unique challenges: complex family dynamics, social isolation & often unpredictable aspects of the illness. It can be overwhelming.
Through the support group, you can find hope & support by connecting with others who face similar challenges. You will gain support from peers who understand your experience as well as insight into the challenges & successes of others. Open to adults with loved ones who live with mental illness.
- 60-90 minutes
- Led by trained family members of individuals living with mental illness
- No specific medical therapy or medication is endorsed or recommended
Why would I attend?
- Be part of a community & experience a sense of belonging
- Improve coping skills & discover your inner strength
- Find hope in knowing that you are not alone
- Learn from the collective knowledge & experience of other participants
- Gain support in a confidential setting
For more information visit https://namiashtabula.org/support-groups-classes/
Peer-to-Peer Education Program
This is a free, eight-session education program for adults with mental health conditions who are looking to better understand themselves & their recovery.
Taught by trained leaders with lived experience, this program includes activities, discussions & informative videos. However, as with all NAMI programs, it does not include recommendations for treatment approaches.
What You’ll Gain
The program is a safe, confidential space. The course provides an opportunity for mutual support & growth. Experience compassion & understanding from people who relate to your experiences. This is a place to learn more about recovery in an accepting environment.
NAMI Peer-to-Peer helps you:
- Set a vision & goals for the future
- Partner with health care providers
- Develop confidence in making decisions
- Practice relaxation & stress reduction tools
- Share your story
- Strengthen relationships
- Enhance communication skills
- Learn about mental health treatment options
For more information visit https://namiashtabula.org/support-groups-classes/
Family to Family Education Program
This is a free, 8-session educational program for family, significant others & friends of people with mental health conditions. It is a designated evidence-based program. This means that research shows that the program significantly improves the coping & problem-solving abilities of the people closest to a person with a mental health condition.
The program is taught by NAMI-trained family members who have been there. Includes presentations, discussions & interactive exercises. This group not only provides information & strategies for taking care of the person you love, but you’ll also find out that you’re not alone. Recovery is a journey, and there is hope. The group setting provides mutual support & shared positive impact experience compassion & reinforcement from people who understand your situation. Sharing your own experience may help others in your class.
What You’ll Gain
- How to solve problems & communicate effectively
- Taking care of yourself & managing your stress
- Supporting your loved one with compassion
- Finding & using local support & services
- Up-to-date information on mental health conditions & how they affect the brain
- How to handle a crisis
- Current treatments & therapies
- The impact of mental health conditions on the entire family
For more information visit https://namiashtabula.org/support-groups-classes/
For more information about NAMI Ashtabula or to register for classes:
Visit https://namiashtabula.org.
Call (440) 606-6264
E-mail ashtabulanami@gmail.com